The upcoming KBS2 drama I Took the Male Lead's First Night, starring Girls’ Generation’s Seohyun and 2PM’s Taecyeon, has landed in hot water for allegedly damaging a UNESCO World Heritage Site during filming.
Architect Min Seo Hong sparked the controversy after visiting Byeongsan Seowon on December 30 and witnessing questionable actions by the drama’s production team. He shared his account on social media on January 2, posting photos of the filming setup.
Min explained, "I visited Byeongsan Seowon and saw staff hammering nails into the wooden pillars of Mandaeru to hang lights. Props were scattered across the site, and production vehicles filled the area. When I questioned the staff, they dismissively said they had permission from Andong City."
He added, "Even in traditional Korean houses, people hesitate to hammer nails. Greater care should be taken with cultural heritage. This isn’t something that can be brushed off just because approval was given."
Despite Min reporting the incident to Andong City’s cultural heritage office and media outlets, filming continued as planned. His criticism also raised questions about whether cultural heritage sites should even be used as filming locations.
The production team of I Took the Male Lead's First Night responded, stating, "We are currently investigating the situation".
The drama, set to air soon, is a fantasy romance about a college student whose soul ends up in the body of a minor character in a romance novel. With an obsessive male lead, the plot promises chaos and excitement.
While fans are excited to see Seohyun and Taecyeon in this unique story, the controversy surrounding the filming location has sparked heated discussions online, with many calling for stricter rules to protect cultural heritage sites.
Source: [1]
